Nevis independence referendum, 1998

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1998 Nevis independence referendum
10 August 1998 (1998-08-10)
OutcomeFailed as two-third quorum in favour not met
Results
Choice
 Votes %
Yes 2,427 61.83%
No 1,498 38.17%
Valid votes 3,925 99.75%
Invalid or blank votes 10 0.25%
Total votes 3,935 100.00%
Registered voters/turnout 6,785 58%

An independence referendum was held in Nevis on 10 August 1998. Although it was approved by 62% of voters, a two-thirds majority was necessary for the referendum to succeed. If it had passed, Nevis would have seceded from the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis.[1][2]

Background

A previous unofficial independence referendum was held in Nevis on 18 August 1977. The Nevis Reformation Party organised the referendum, seeking for the island of Nevis to separate from St Kitts prior to independence and remain within the British Empire as a separate crown colony, similar to Anguilla, which had seceded from Saint Christopher-Nevis-Anguilla in 1967.[3] Although 99.7% had voted in favour of independence, the result was declared invalid by the national government.

Results

ChoiceVotes%
For2,42761.83
Against1,49838.17
Total3,925100.00
Valid votes3,92599.75
Invalid/blank votes100.25
Total votes3,935100.00
Registered voters/turnout6,78558.00
Source: Direct Democracy

References

  1. 1998 Referendum Political Database of the America
  2. Election Profile IFES
  3. Nevis (St Kitts and Nevis), 18 August 1977: Separation from St Kitts Direct Democracy (in English and German)